Johann Wilhelm Stuempfle

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-26528

Notes:

Melancholy and fatal accident.

Three children killed.

We are indebted to the Guelph Advertiser for the following account of the melancholy accident which took place near the Breslau station, about four miles from Berlin, on Saturday afternoon last "From the particulars we have been able to obtain it appears that three children, two of them, a boy and a girl, aged about three and four years, belonging to Mr. Jacob Steumpfle, farmer, were driving to the mill at Breslau, in company with a lad named John Heibel, about twelve years old, and that while crossing the track at the above station they were ran into by the No. 1 Express East, and melancholy to say, they all received injuries which resulted in death. The Express trains do not stop at the Breslau station, and the crossing, which is but a few yards distant, is so shielded by buildings on the one side and a hill on the other, that it is at all times considered dangerous to pass without being made aware of safety. In the present instance, parties in the vicinity saw the train approaching, and shouted to the boy in the wagon to stop. The unfortunate lad heard the warning, and appeared as if he was about to leave out and take the horse by the head, but before he could do so, the animal backed a step, then plunged forward, and while crossing the track the locomotive came crashing upon them. The horse was instantly killed, and the wagon shivered into fragments. The youngest child was thrown against the fore part of the engine with terrific force, the head and face fearfully mangled; of course death was instantaneous. A little girl - a handsome interesting child - was tossed upon the steam chest of the locomotive, and but for the prompt assistance of the driver, who leapt out and lifted her off, would have been there and then have been literally scalded to death. During the short time she was on the chest she was terribly burned, the skin upon her arms and the legs peeling off in large flakes, besides which she received injuries on the head which rendered her insensible. The eldest boy was so badly hurt on the side of his head that the brain protruded through a fracture in the skull. No medical aid being close at hand but the dead and dying were placed on board the train and brought to Guelph - Dr. Herod was promptly in attendance, but on examination pronounced those yet alive beyond the reach of all human skill. The boy died shortly before 9 the same evening remaining unconscious up to the time of his death: the girl's sufferings were prolonged till Sunday evening about 5 o'clock, when she, too, was released from her agonies. On Monday an inquest was held on the bodies. The evidence as to the culpability of the company was extremely contradictory. The speed at which the train was going was variously stated by the witnesses at from twelve to thirty miles per hour, and the distance from the scene of the catastrophe at which it stopped was estimated from about 140 yards to a quarter of a mile. The jury then returned the following

Verdict:

"Accidental death. And that we find no blame attached to the employees of the company. The jury are, however, of opinion that the crossing near Breslau station is exceedingly dangerous, and that the immediate Arrangements should be made by the Grand Trunk Company for future protection to life and property."

Berlin Daily Telegraph 19 July 1861 page 3 column 1